Animal toenail grips

ABSTRACT

An animal toenail grip designed and configured to provide an animal with traction on slippery and/or hard surfaces. The toenail grip includes a tubular member removably securable via frictional interference to the nail of the animal. The tubular member is constructed of a flexible, returnably-resilient material having superior non-slip or gripping characteristics. The toenail grip enhances proprioception in animals having certain neurological deficits and yields long term improvement in gait and stance on hard-surface flooring.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/617,399, filed Mar. 29, 2012 and entitled “Canine Toenail Grips.”The entire contents of the above-identified priority application arehereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to animal accessories, and moreparticularly, to animal toenail grips for purposes of providing fractionon hard-surface flooring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By design, dogs, and other animals with toes, engage their toenails togain traction. When slipping or sliding, dogs will flex their paws andengage their toenails to prevent falling. This design is perfect foracquiring traction on earthen terrain. However, on hard-surfaceflooring, the engagement of the toenails results in more slippage andcauses the animal to lose stability, potentially leading toslip-and-fall injuries.

Currently there exist in the art various toenail covers, paw covers, andpaw pad adhesives for animals. However, the prior art has failed todisclose or teach a tubular member removably securable about the tip andlong mid-portion of an animal's toenail, the tubular member constructedof a flexible, returnably-resilient material having superior non-slip orgripping characteristics as taught by the present application.

Accordingly, a need exists for an animal toenail grip removablyattachable about the caudodistal edge of the nail tip and the longmid-portion of an animal's toenail, wherein such grip provides an animalwith traction on slippery and/or hard surfaces. The present inventionprovides a vehicle to increase the coefficient of friction between thenail tip and the surface of the floor. Therefore, the development of theanimal nail grip of the present invention fulfills the aforementionedneed.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that readdirectly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the followingreferences were considered related: U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,029 B2 issued inthe name of Kuzur; U.S. Pat. No. D329,928 issued in the name of Wexler;U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0229538 A1 published in the name ofFriedland; U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,731 issued in the name of Wexler; U.S.Pat. No. D564,713 issued in the name of Wexler; U.S. Pat. No. D560,317issued in the name of Townsend; U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,419 B1 issued in thename of Wexler; U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,879 B1 issued in the name of Wexler;U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,033 B1 issued in the name of Fleming; and U.S.Patent Application No. 2007/0089691 A1 published in the name of Hendy.

Consequently, a need has been felt for an animal nail grip havingsuperior gripping characteristics. This application presents claims andembodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by theproducts, inventions and methods previously or presently available. Inparticular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe ananimal nail grip comprising: an annulus comprising an elongated, tubularmember; the tubular member comprising an elongated body having an openupper end, an open lower end, and a hollow interior defined as a nailreceiving cavity; the body further comprising an externalcircumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface; the innercircumferential surface being a circular boundary defining the nailreceiving cavity; the nail receiving cavity defines a diameter measuringless than the smallest diametric measure of the external circumferentialgrip seating position of the nails of an animal; the open upper end ofthe body of tubular member is in open, direct, fluid communication withthe open lower end thereof; the tubular member is constructed of aflexible, returnably-resilient material having superior non-slip orgripping characteristics, and wherein the tubular member being removablyheld to the nail of an animal via mechanical interference; the animalnail grip providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of featuresdistinguished from the products, inventions and methods preexisting inthe art.

For many animals with neurologic and/or musculoskeletal abnormalities,fear becomes a life-altering factor. This fear is heightened onhard-surface flooring. Animals with neurologic and/or musculoskeletalabnormalities tend to lack confident mobility and typically choose toavoid hard-surface floors, or unnaturally compensate on them, resultingin altered gait and/or behavioral problems. The present inventionimproves the stability of animals while standing and moving, anddiminishes the emotional stress animals experience from lack of tractionon hard-surface flooring and other slick or slippery surfaces.

Animals affected with certain neurologic and/or musculoskeletalconditions tend to compensate for their disabilities by altering theirgait, posture and/or stance. Proprioception is the ability to sense therelative position and location and orientation and movement of the bodyand its parts, in relation to each other and the environment.Proprioception is based on a multi-component sensory system.Proprioceptive deficits in animals cause abnormal body movements orpositions due to lack of normal perception. Loss of proprioception cancause abnormal placement reactions in the limbs, abnormal limb positionat rest, such as legs crossed or paws turned under, and abnormal wearingof the toenails. Loss of proprioception is a nonspecific indication ofneurologic disease. General causes of proprioceptive deficits include,but are not limited to, cerebral diseases, cerebellar diseases,disorders of the thalamus, disorders of the brain stem, disorders of thespinal cord, and disorders of the peripheral nerves. Abnormal limbposture at rest, such as limbs crossed over or turned under, abnormalwearing of the toenails, partial loss of movement of the limbs or alimb, paralysis, incoordination, and ataxia are all conditions that mayindicate proprioceptive deficits.

Accordingly, a need exists for a method to provide proprioceptivestimuli in animals. The development of the animal toenail grip of thepresent invention fulfills this need.

Applicants are unaware of any product, method, device or reference thatdiscloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In certain example embodiments described herein, an animal toenail gripis disclosed. The nail grip is designed and configured to provide ananimal with traction on slippery and/or hard surfaces, such ashard-surface flooring. The nail grip of the present invention comprisesan annulus, the annulus comprising an elongated, tubular membercomprising an elongated body having an open upper end, an open lowerend, and a hollow member.

The tubular member is constructed of a flexible, returnably-resilientmaterial, the construction material preferably being non-toxic,water-impermeable elastomers.

The tubular member is slid onto and annularly encompasses the nail ofthe animal, the tubular member being removably held to the nail viamechanical interference. More specifically, the tubular member is slidonto the nail of the animal in conjunction with a lubricant to aid inmovement of the tubular member across the nail of the animal by reducingthe coefficient of friction. Although not required, the tubular membermay be removably held to the nail of the animal via alubricant/adhesive. For practical purposes, a number of tubular membersmay be removably secured to a corresponding number of selected nails.Once installed, as the animal walks or runs, the edge of the tubularmember intimately engages the walking/running surface and grips suchsurface thereby providing the animal with traction.

An object of the present invention is to provide fraction for an animalby helping the animal, who can not gain purchase on hard-surfaceflooring without its legs splaying, rise from a lying position, or walk,without slipping on a hard or slippery surface.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the stability ofanimals while standing on and/or moving across hard-surface flooring.

A further object of the present invention is to improve the stance andgait of animals with certain conditions such as ataxia and/or mildproprioceptive deficits when standing on and/or moving acrosshard-surface flooring, or other slick or slippery surfaces.

Yet another object of the present invention is to improve or enhanceproprioception in an animal with certain neurological deficits. Theanimal toenail grips of the present invention have shown unexpectedresults in providing proprioceptive stimulus, yielding long-termimprovement in the stance and gait of an animal on hard-surfaceflooring.

Another object of the present invention is to enhance muscle tone ofanimals affected by neurologic and/or musculoskeletal conditions byincreasing mobility and activity of the animal.

A further object of the present invention is to reduce the likelihood ofslip-and-fall injury to the animal.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate theemotional stress an animal experiences from lack of traction onhard-surface flooring, thereby increasing the animal's confidence andattitude, while reducing fear-related behaviors.

The toenail grips of the present invention may be used post-operativelyfollowing surgery, especially orthopedic, to aid in rehabilitation andprevention of re-injury due to slip-and-fall accidents.

Yet another object of the present invention is to improve an animal'squality of life by providing confidence, stability, mobility andincreased activity level.

A further object of the present invention is to improve thebiomechanical function, posture and gait of an animal by reducingabnormal forces on joints caused by compensation and lameness.

The toenail grips of the invention can be used on multiple species ofanimals having toenails anatomically adapted for the product, including,but not limited to, animals with non-retractable claws, disabled orrehabilitating species with retractable claws, and birds.

The animal nail grip is envisioned to be commercially available in avariety of colors and/or patterns.

The animal nail grip is commercially available as a kit.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of theexample embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skillin the art upon consideration of the following detailed description ofillustrated example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood with reference to the following more detailed description andclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an animal nail grip, in accordancewith one or more embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the animal nail grip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of an animal's pawillustrating one toe and toenail thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the animal nail grip shownremovably attached to the caudodistal tip of the nail of an animal, inaccordance with one or more embodiments presented herein; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view illustrating animal nail gripsremovably attached to respective nails of a canine's pair of paws, inaccordance with one or more embodiments presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a device placed on the toenails of ananimal for the purpose of providing stability, traction, and confidenceto the animal while standing and moving across hard-surface flooring.Further, the present invention provides proprioceptive stimulus to ananimal with certain neurological deficits resulting in long-termimprovement in stance and gait while standing or moving acrosshard-surface flooring, including other hard surfaces that are slick andslippery.

The functionality of the various example embodiments will be explainedin more detail in the following description, read in conjunction withthe figures illustrating the invention. Turning now to the drawings, inwhich like numerals indicate like (but not necessarily identical)elements throughout the figures, example embodiments are described indetail.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a nail grip 10 is shown, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The nail grip 10 is designed andconfigured to provide an animal with traction on slippery and/or hardsurfaces, such as hardwood floors, tile, and the like. The tractionmeans afforded by the nail grip 10 provides an animal with stability,mobility, and confidence, and greatly decreases the likelihood ofinjuries to an animal resulting from slipping and falling or collapsingon a slippery or hard surface.

In reference to FIG. 3, a partial isometric view of an animal's toe 3,toenail 4, digital pad 8, and nail bed 12 is illustrated. The partialanimal toe configuration is more specifically shown as that of adomestic pet, particularly a canine. For purposes of understanding thenature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application,including the use thereof, the nail 4 includes an elongated, arcuatesegment, the segment comprising a short proximal portion 5 extendingfrom the nail bed 12, a long mid-portion 6, and a short distal portion7.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the nail grip 10comprises an annulus 18, more specifically defined as an elongated,tubular member 20, the tubular member 20 comprising an elongated body 21having an open upper end 22, an open lower end 24, and a hollow interior26 defined as a nail receiving cavity 27. The body 21 further comprisesan external circumferential surface 28 and an inner circumferentialsurface 29, the inner circumferential surface 29 being a circularboundary defining the nail receiving cavity 27. The nail receivingcavity 27 defines a diameter measuring less than the smallest diametricmeasure of the external circumferential grip seating position of thenails 4 of an animal.

The open upper end 22 of the body 21 of tubular member 20 is in open,direct, fluid communication with the open lower end 24 thereof via thehollow interior 26. The upper end 22 includes a generally planar edge 23and wherein the lower end 24 includes a generally planar edge 25.

The tubular member 20 is constructed of a flexible, returnably-resilientmaterial having superior non-slip or gripping characteristics. Tubularmember 20 may be substantially formed from any elastic materialincluding, but not limited to, an elastomer. Non-limited examples ofsuitable elastic materials including natural latex rubber in addition tosynthetic materials, such as styrene ethylene butadiene, styrenebutadiene, polychloroprene (Neoprene), nitrile rubber, vinyl, and thelike.

Alternatively, tubular member 20 may also be constructed of apolymer-based material, the polymer-based material defined assingle-crystal silicon, however, other flexible plastic or polymericmaterials suitable for constructing tubular member 20 include, but arenot limited to, silicone rubber, thermosensitive siliconised polyvinylchloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethyleneterephthalate.

Still further, tubular member 20 may also be alternatively constructedof a material selected from the group comprising plastic, thermoplasticelastomers, or a metallic-plastic composite. Preferred plastic orthermoplastic elastomers include, but are not limited to, natural latexrubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyolefin,acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polyurethane,polycarbonate, or blends thereof, and ABS/nylon blend. Tubular member 20may be fabricated utilizing a common molding process such as injectionmolding, blow molding, extrusion, or other molding and fabricatingmethods.

Preferably, tubular member 20 is constructed of a flexible,returnably-resilient, non-toxic, water-impermeable elastomer.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5, and more particularly to FIG. 4,the tubular member 20 is slid onto and annularly encompasses the nail 4of the animal, the tubular member 20 being removably held to the nail 4via mechanical interference. More specifically, tubular member 20 isslid onto the nail 4 and positioned so as to encompass the longmid-portion 6 thereof. Significantly, unlike the prior art, or anycombination thereof, the tubular member 20 is sized and dimensioned forencompassing specifically the long mid-portion 6 of the nail 4 of ananimal in a removably secured manner. More specifically, the tubularmember 20 is slid onto the nail 4 so as to rest at the caudodistal edgeof the nail tip 9 to create the grip zone 11. The dorsal aspect 13 ofthe tubular member 20 is positioned about the long mid-portion 6 of thenail 4.

In an alternative embodiment, a number of tubular members 20 may beremovably secured to a corresponding number of selected nails 4,respectively.

During the initial placement or installation of the nail grip 10, theinner circumferential surface 29 of tubular member 20 may be lubricatedto reduce friction during installation. For purposes of this disclosure,the term “lubricated” is intended to mean to make slippery or smooth,such as via water or other suitable lubricant. Said lubricants include,but are not limited to, water, isopropyl alcohol, water-based lubricant,glycerin, or compound with adhesive properties. Once installed, as theanimal walks or runs, portions of tubular member 20 engage thewalking/running surface, and grip such surface at grip zone 11 providingthe animal with traction. The construction material of the nail grip 10provides increased gripping and fraction for the animal on slipperyand/or hard surfaces (e.g., hardwood floors, tile, and the like). Theconstruction material of nail grip 10 is further configured with adegree of softness to provide a cushion between the animal's nails andcontact with the hard-surface flooring.

In an alternative embodiment, a number of tubular members 20 may besecured or affixed to the nail of the animal via an adhesive including,but not limited to, pressure sensitive adhesives, glue, collagen-basedadhesives, plant-based adhesives, synthetic monomer glues, such ascyanoacrylates, and synthetic polymer glues.

In accordance with one embodiment, either open end 22 or 24 of tubularmember 20 may be slid onto the short distal portion 7 of nail 4 in amanner such that short distal portion 7 is slidably inserted into thenail receiving cavity 27, concurrently engaging intimately the innercircumferential surface 29 of tubular member 20, the innercircumferential surface 29 stretchably and/or flexibly conforming andadapting substantially to the outer surface configuration of the nail 4,and wherein tubular member 20 is further slidably engaged in a directiontowards the base of the toe 3 until tubular member 20 is oriented in aremovably secured position about the long mid-portion 6 of the nail 4.The tubular member 20 is positioned on the long mid-portion 6 of thenail 4 such that the short distal portion 7 of the nail 4 protrudesthrough the open end 22 or 24 of tubular member 20. Further, the edge 23of the tubular member 20 sits at the caudodistal edge of the shortdistal portion 7 of the nail 4 and engages the hard-surface flooring viathe grip zone 11 when the animal rises or moves across the slipperyand/or hard-surface flooring.

In further accordance to the above-described embodiment of the presentinvention, the means by which tubular member 20 is removably affixed tothe nail 4 is explained in further detail hereinbelow.

Tubular member 20 is removably secured about the long mid-portion 6 ofthe nail 4 via a displacement force of the inner circumferential surface29 relative to the outer surface of the nail 4, with the innercircumferential surface 29 stretchably and/or flexibly resistingrelative motion thereof and the outer surface of nail 4 by mechanicalinterference with one another, and by frictional engagement between theinner circumferential surface 29 and the outer surface of the nail 4.The dorsal aspect 13 of the tubular member 20 is positioned about thelong mid-portion 6 of the nail 4. Further, the tubular member 20 restsat the caudodistal edge of the nail tip 9 to create the grip zone 11that intimately engages the hard-surface flooring when the animal risesor moves across the slippery and/or hard-surface flooring.

The construction material defining tubular member 20 is important to thepresent invention. As previously described, the pliable propertiesdefining the construction material of tubular member 20 provides eachindividual animal (having toenails) with a unique customized-fit nailgrip. Thus, one embodiment of the present invention is adapted andconfigured to provide a universally-fitting animal nail grip 10.However, the present invention may also be constructed in various sizesto provide a more customized fit.

The following table provides examples of size and dimensions of thetoenail grips of the present invention as used for canines:

Size Color Interior Diameter Wall Outer Diameter XS Yellow 0.063″(±.016″) 0.063″ (±.008″) 0.189″ (±.026″) S Red 0.094″ (±.016″) 0.063″(±.008″) 0.220″ (±.026″) M Blue 0.125″ (±.016″) 0.063″ (±.008″) 0.251″(±.026″) L Green 0.156″ (±.016″) 0.070″ (±.008″) 0.296″ (±.026″) XLPurple 0.188″ (±.016″) 0.078″ (±.008″) 0.344″ (±.032″) XXL Orange 0.188″(±.016″) 0.094″ (±.008″) 0.376″ (±.032″)

The sizes and dimensions of the toenail grips may be altered to fitother species of animals.

The animal nail grip 10 is envisioned to be commercially available in avariety of colors and/or patterns. In addition, the externalcircumferential surface 28 of the body 21 of tubular member 20 may bedisposed with indicia and/or an ornamental pattern. Indicia and/or anornamental pattern include alphanumeric text, images, logos, andsymbols. Indicia and/or an ornamental pattern may further comprisedecorative colorful images.

The present invention may be made commercially available as a kit,wherein the kit comprises a package, a plurality of nail grips 10, andan instruction leaflet providing detailed instructions for placing orinstalling the nail grips 10 on desired animal's nails 4. In analternative embodiment, the kit comprises a package, a plurality of nailgrips 10, an instruction leaflet providing detailed instructions forplacing or installing the nail grips 10 on desired animal's nails 4, anda lubricant. In another alternative embodiment, the kit comprises apackage, a plurality of nail grips 10, an instruction leaflet providingdetailed instructions for placing or installing the nail grips 10 ondesired animal's nails 4, a lubricant or an adhesive.

The toenail grips of the present invention provide an animal withimproved gait and stance due to reduction in slippage on hard surfaces,including, but not limited to, hard-surface flooring. The toenail gripdevice improves the grip or fraction between the animal's foot and thecontacting surface, spreads the shock of the foot contacting thehard-surface flooring, and provides confidence and stability to theanimal as it moves across the hard-surface flooring.

Unexpectedly, the toenail grips of the present invention provideproprioceptive stimulus on the animal's toenails, thus drawing theattention of the animal's brain to the paws. Increased central nervoussystem input, coupled with improved stability, results in improvedmobility and improved gait.

The following examples are provided to illustrate certain particularfeatures and/or embodiments. These examples should not be construed tolimit the invention to the particular features or embodiments described.

Example 1

A 13-year old female Shar-Pei mix has vision and balance deficits due totwo recent vestibular episodes. The lack of balance and the loss ofvision have resulted in fearfulness on the part of the dog. The fear notonly affects the mobility of the dog, it translates to every part of herlife, including how she relates to humans (timidity), how she relates toother dogs (aggression), and how she relates to food (panic episodes).The demeanor of the dog before using the toenail grips of the presentinvention is one of submission and fear. The ears of the dog are down,the head of the dog is down, and her stance is wide based. After properplacement of the toenail grips, the dog becomes confident by holding thehead up, ears forward, and moves with confidence across the hardsurface. Enhanced mobility resulting from the toenail grips provides theanimal with confidence due to improved stability.

Example 2

A 15-year old altered male Scottish Terrier had trouble walking on anysmooth surface and had lost the desire to take long walks. Uponapplication of the toenail grips of the present invention, the dogdisplayed an upright stance and confidence walking on hardwood floors.The dog, when wearing the toenail grips, no longer slips and is a muchhappier dog. As the muscle mass in the dog's legs returns due toincreased movement, the dog is now taking walks again. The toenail gripsof the present invention keep the dog mobile.

Example 3

A 14-year old altered female Labrador mix had trouble with basicmobility during a stay at a home with wooden stairs. The stairs had tobe traversed multiple times a day and slippage occurred regularly. Afterreturning to the dog's home, the dog began to hesitate moving across thetile floors, having recalled the experience of slipping over the woodfloors. The owner placed rugs down on the tile floors to assist the dogin moving across the floor, and provided rehabilitation and therapy tothe dog. Upon placement of the toenail grips of the present invention,the dog experienced immediate improvement in stability, confidence andwalking. The movement of the dog continued to improve over the followingmonth. The rugs were removed from the tile floors and the dog no longerhesitates to walk over the tile floors.

Example 4

A front-limb amputated 9-year old altered female Labrador Retriever haddifficulty moving across wood floors. The amputee could not get up fromthe floor without her three legs coming out from under her frame. Thedog would fall down every time she tried to get up from the hardwoodfloors. Walking across hardwood floors was a labored process for theamputee to maintain balance with only three legs. Immediately afterplacement of the toenail grips of the present invention, the amputee dogcan get up with ease and confidence and walk/run across the hardwoodfloors without falling or slipping.

Example 5

A male Golden Retriever had difficulty getting up from a hardwood floor.Upon placement of the toenail grips of the present invention, immediateresults were observed. The dog was stable on the hardwood floors, andwas capable of starting and stopping quickly, and jumping withoutslipping and falling.

Example 6

A 15-year old female dog with end stage degenerative joint disease inher hips had difficulty standing and moving across a tile floor. Afterapplying the toenail grips of the present invention, the dog was able toimmediately stand with little difficulty or slippage. Each day the dogwears the toenail grips, the more confidence is displayed while movingacross hard surfaces.

Example 7

A 14-year old male Labrador Retriever had trouble getting up fromhardwood floors due to advanced arthritis. Immediately upon placement ofthe toenail grips of the present invention, the dog can get up and moveacross the hardwood floor without slipping and the added cushion masksthe sound of the nails striking the hardwood floors.

Example 8

A 10-year old male Labrador Retriever having had a hind leg amputateddue to cancer, has difficulty maintaining balance on hard-packed snowand ice. Immediately after placement of the toenail grips of the presentinvention on the dog's toenails of the rear foot, the dog is able tomaintain an upright position while walking over hard-packed snow andice. When walking over pure ice, the dog's hind foot would start toslide and then the toenail grips would grip the ice and keep the dogupright.

The toenail grips of the present invention help to improve biomechanicalfunction, posture, and gait of an animal by reducing abnormal forces onjoints caused by compensation and lameness. When an animal is injured,the animal will favor the injured limb or limbs by placing more weighton its uninjured limbs, thereby creating abnormal or excessive force tothe joints of the uninjured limbs. Favoring the injured limb or limbsresults in altered posture and gait of the animal. Resultant abnormalbiomechanical forces cause abnormal stress on the joints of theuninjured limb or limbs. The toenail grips of the present invention helpprevent the animal from slipping and sliding, thereby reducing thechance of slip-and-fall accidents. The traction means afforded by thenail grips provide stability, mobility, and confidence to the animal,thereby improving the biomechanical function, posture and gait of ananimal.

In another embodiment of the present invention, it is envisioned thatthe toenail grips will be used as a therapeutic tool to aid in therehabilitation of animals having surgery, especially orthopedic. Thetoenail grips may be used post-operatively for animals recovering fromorthopedic procedures, such as knee and hip surgeries, and/or softtissue surgery, by providing improved stability to the animal anddecreasing the chance for slip-and-fall injuries. Further, the toenailgrips will assist the animals in rising from any surface while they arein a weakened or disabled condition. The toenail grips of the presentinvention provide the necessary traction and gripping needed for theanimals to rise, stand and move across hard-surface flooring, therebypermitting the animals to recover faster during their post-operativerehabilitation period. The muscle tone of the rehabilitating animal maybe enhanced due to the animal's ability to rise and move about duringtheir rehabilitation.

The toenail grips of the present invention were developed by aveterinarian who saw the need to provide traction and grip to animalsrising on and moving across hard-surface flooring, as well as othertypes of hard surfaces that are slick and slippery. The toenail grips ofthe present invention fulfill this need to provide traction and grip toanimals due to the lack of any other product on the market to addressfraction through the toenails. This need is especially felt where therewas, prior to the present invention, no practical solution available tosenior animals with impaired stability and movement.

The various embodiments, as separately disclosed, are interchangeable invarious aspects, so that elements of one embodiment may be incorporatedinto one or more of the other embodiments, and that specific positioningof individual elements may necessitate other arrangements notspecifically disclosed to accommodate performance requirements orspatial considerations.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limitedin their application to the details of construction and arrangement ofthe components set forth in the description and illustrated in thedrawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples ofthe embodiments envisioned, but the claims are limited to the specificembodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are furthercapable of other embodiments and/or being practiced and carried out invarious ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purposes of description andshould not be regarded as limiting the claims.

The purpose of the abstract provided herein is to enable the U.S. Patentand Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially includingthe practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legalterms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection thenature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Theabstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application,nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way.It is intended that the application be defined by the claims appendedhereto.

Although specific embodiments have been described above in detail, thedescription is merely for purposes of illustration. It should beappreciated, therefore, that many aspects described above are notintended as required or essential elements unless explicitly statedotherwise. Modifications of, and equivalent components or actscorresponding to, the disclosed aspects of the example embodiments, inaddition to those described above, can be made by a person of ordinaryskill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in thefollowing claims, the scope of which is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalentstructures.

1. A nail grip comprising an annulus.
 2. The nail grip of claim 1,wherein the annulus comprises a tubular member, the tubular membercomprising: an elongated body having an open upper end, an open lowerend, and a hollow interior.
 3. The nail grip of claim 2, wherein thetubular member is constructed of a flexible, returnably-resilientmaterial.
 4. The nail grip of claim 3, wherein the flexible,returnably-resilient material is constructed from one of the group ofmaterials consisting of natural latex rubber, soft or elastic syntheticrubber, soft or synthetic fiber, polymer-based material, and rubberizedor plastic elastomers.
 5. The nail grip of claim 2, wherein the tubularmember is removably held to an animal's toenail via mechanicalinterference.
 6. The nail grip of claim 2, where in the tubular memberis removably held to an animal's toenail via adhesive.
 7. The nail gripof claim 2, wherein the tubular member is constructed so as to beavailable in a variety of colors or decorative patterns.
 8. A method oftreating or improving a neurological deficit, a behavioral condition, ora musculoskeletal condition, including at least one of treating orreducing fear; treating or reducing pain; treating or reducing emotionalstress; reducing slippage; providing or improving grip and fraction;inducing confidence; improving quality of life; building muscle tone;improving stance; and improving gait, the method comprising attaching ina secured manner one or more annuluses to one or more correspondinganimal toenails.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the one or moreannuluses are removable.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the nailgrips provide grip and traction to at least one paw of an animal,thereby reducing slippage of the animal.
 11. The method of claim 8wherein the nail grips improve the stance or gait of an animal.
 12. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the nail grips reduce the risk ofslip-and-fall injuries to an animal.
 13. The method of claim 8 whereinthe nail grips reduce fear in an animal.
 14. The method of claim 8wherein the nail grips induce confidence in an animal.
 15. The method ofclaim 8 wherein the nail grips contribute over time to increased muscletone in an animal.
 16. A method of providing proprioceptive stimuli inan animal having neurological deficits comprising: attaching in asecured manner one or more annuluses to one or more corresponding animaltoenails, thereby impacting proprioception and yielding long-termimprovement in the stance or gait of the animal.
 17. The method of claim16 wherein the one or more annuluses are removable.
 18. A method ofaiding in the rehabilitation of an animal post-operatively orpost-injury comprising attaching in a secured manner one or moreannuluses to one or more corresponding animal toenails.
 19. The methodof claim 18 wherein the one or more annuluses are removable. 20-22.(canceled)
 23. The nail grip of claim 2, where in the tubular member isaffixed or secured to an animal's toenail by at least one of the groupof materials consisting of pressure sensitive adhesive, glue,collagen-based adhesive, plant-based adhesive, synthetic monomer glueand synthetic polymer glue.